LIVE: Protest over death of UPSC aspirants continues; Delhi LG assures appropriate action

Delhi basement UPSC aspirant deaths: From students' protest in Rajinder Nagar to political reactions over the incident, catch all latest developments around the tragedy here

6:19 PM

Coaching centre deaths: NHRC calls for detailed report within two weeks

The National Human Rights Commission has sought responses from chief secretary, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi; the commissioner of police; and the municipal corporation commissioner. Additionally, the commission observed that news reports “indicated negligence on the part of the authorities” and said that they could not escape liability.

5:44 PM

Coaching centre deaths: 'Team Drishti extremely cautious about the safety of students'

Drishti IAS owner Vikas Divyakirti also said that Team Drishti is extremely cautious about the safety of the students. He added, "The comprehensive action taken by Municipal Corporation of Delhi in the last few days is welcome."

5:21 PM

'Anger justified': Drishti IAS owner Vikas Divyakirti breaks silence on death of UPSC aspirants

In a statement, Drishti IAS owner Vikas Divyakirti said, "The anger seen among the students regarding this accident is completely justified. It would be appropriate if this anger gets correctly channelised and the government issues certain guidelines for coaching institutes. In this regard, we are willing to actively co-operate with the government." 

3:52 PM

Coaching centre deaths: BJP stages sit-in near Rajghat against AAP govt; pays homage to victims

As a mark of protest, BJP leaders and workers covered their mouths with ribbons and also paid homage to the victims by observing a two-minute silence. "The three young students fell victim to the corruption of Aam Aadmi Party, which rules Delhi and MCD," Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva alleged during his address to the gathering.

3:41 PM

I believe 10-12 people are missing from coaching centre in Old Rajender Nagar: Pappu Yadav

Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav on Tuesday claimed that 10 to 12 people are missing from the coaching centre in Old Rajender Nagar, where three USPC aspirants died due to drowning on Saturday evening. "Not only have three students died at the coaching centre, but there is also a list of six missing students. I believe 10 to 12 people are missing. All attempts are being made to hide this fact,” PTI quoted Yadav as saying.

2:40 PM

Action will be taken against MCD, police, fire services within 24 hours: Delhi LG

According to a Raj Niwas statement, Delhi LG VK Saxena also assured the protesting students that action will be taken against officials of Delhi Fire Services (DFS), police, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) responsible for the incident within 24 hours. 

2:25 PM

Whatever appropriate action needs to be taken will be taken: Delhi LG

Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena on Tuesday said appropriate action will be taken in connection with the deaths of three civil services aspirants in the basement of a coaching centre. "It is a tragic incident. Whatever appropriate action needs to be taken will be taken. I do not believe in taking hasty decisions. Things are slowly coming to light. Whatever steps need to be taken will be taken," he told reporters on the sidelines of flagging off 320 electric buses.

2:22 PM

AAP leaders protest outside Parliament over coaching centre deaths

1:42 PM

Coaching centre deaths: UPSC aspirants write to Chief Justice of India, seek his intervention

In a letter to CJI DY Chandrachud, the aspirants wrote, "The incident has not only shattered the lives of the deceased aspirants and their families but has also raised significant concerns about the safety and regulatory oversights in the operation of coaching centers, libraries, and other establishments running in basement areas. The gravity of the situation is exacerbated by the fact that such incidents were foreseeable and preventable had proper measures been taken by the authorities involved."

1:23 PM

Coaching centre deaths: NHRC issues notices to Delhi govt, municipal commissioner

The NHRC has issued notices to the Delhi government, city police chief and municipal commissioner in connection with the deaths of three civil services aspirants in the basement of a coaching centre here. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sought a detailed report from them in two weeks, a statement said.

12:53 PM

'Waterlogging a chronic issue in Old Rajinder Nagar; MCD biggest culprit'

On Monday evening, the students held a candle light vigil near the coaching centre in question. "The MCD is the biggest culprit. Whenever it rains, the streets are waterlogged and you risk falling into an open manhole or getting an electric shock and dying," said protesting students.

12:40 PM

No accused will be spared: Delhi mayor on coaching centre deaths

Following the tragic deaths of three students at a coaching institute in Old Rajinder Nagar due to severe waterlogging, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi stated on Monday that she reached the site immediately after receiving the information, assessed the situation, and assured that illegally operating coaching centres would not be spared.

12:28 PM

Plea on coaching centre deaths: Matter to be heard by 2-judge HC bench shortly

The plea was mentioned for urgent hearing on Tuesday before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela which said the matter be listed on Wednesday if the petition is in order by afternoon. Petitioner advocate said he filed the petition on Monday and urged the court to hear it during the day. The court, however, said he shall remove the objections, if any, and thereafter it will be listed for hearing on Wednesday.

 

 

12:07 PM

Will continue protest against coaching centres that aren't following rules: Students

Protesting students are planning to hold a candle march and start a hunger strike until all their demands are met. A student, Satyam Singh, told PTI, "Our demands are immediate compensation for the family members of the victim from Rau's IAS Study Circle on moral grounds and strict action against those responsible for the safety and security lapse." Heavy police deployment has been made in the area to maintain law and order. According to officials, Rau's IAS Study Circle was illegally using the basement of the building as a library. Locals have alleged that the drainage system in the area was heavily clogged with silt. So far, police have arrested seven people, including the owner and coordinator of the coaching institute, in connection with the incident. 

11:54 AM

UPSC coaching centre deaths: HC to hear plea seeking setting up of panel to probe incident

The Delhi High Court has agreed to hear on Wednesday a plea seeking to constitute a high-level committee to probe the incident in which three civil service aspirants drowned at the basement of a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar here. The plea was mentioned for urgent hearing on Tuesday before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela which said the matter be listed on Wednesday if the petition is in order by afternoon.

11:46 AM

Parties pass the buck on death of UPSC aspirants in Rajya Sabha

Some Opposition MPs like the DMK’s Tiruchi Siva put the blame squarely on the L-G for allegedly not allowing the elected AAP government to function on Monday. Meanwhile, the members of the Congress, RJD, CPI(M), CPI and IUML were of the opinion that the coaching institutes should be blamed and the Centre should be held responsible for their mushrooming across the country.

11:21 AM

Protest over deaths of UPSC aspirants: Parents of victims still in disbelief

The three students who died due to flooding were -- UP residents Shreya Yadav (25), and Tanya Soni (25), and Kerala-resident Nivin Dalwin (28). Their friends remember them as highly motivated individuals with big dreams.

 

11:03 AM

Protests over death of UPSC aspirants: Who is SUV driver held for driving on flooded road?

Manoj Kathuria, 50, drove his SUV on a waterlogged road in front of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Central Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar on July 27. He was on his way home, just 700 metres away. A day later, he faced the consequences of the short drive past the coaching centre. Held on Sunday (July 28) evening by police, the businessman was accused of having forced a wave of water that breached the entrance of the coaching centre, and eventually led to the flooding in the basement.

10:53 AM

Mortal remains of UPSC aspirant Nevin Dalwin reach Thiruvananthapuram airport

Mortal remains of UPSC aspirant Nevin Dalwin, who died due to drowning at an IAS coaching institute in Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar, reach Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala. State's education minister V Shivankutty and MLA IB Satheesh pay respects to the deceased student.

10:38 AM

Students demand immediate compensation to victims' families; strict action against concerned officials

In a detailed handwritten note shared by X user -- @UPSC_Notes -- students have shared a list of demands and "long-due" reforms. 

10:25 AM

UPSC mania requires a broader change in our socio-cultural outlook: Sanjeev Sanyal

In a post on X, Sanjeev Sanyal, who is a part of the PM's Economic Advisory Council, said, "When I began to talk about the UPSC mania (and the associated coaching mafia) some time ago, there was a flurry of "motivational speakers" and "experts" abusing me. Some even wrote OpEds in leading newspapers and posted Youtube videos. After the recent series of events, I hope people understand what my warning was about. No amount of top-down "regulation" will solve this. It requires a broader change in our socio-cultural outlook."

10:16 AM

Students question 'silence' of Vikas Divyakirti, Avadh Ojha over UPSC aspirants death

On Monday evening, students staged a protest outside the house of a popular UPSC teacher in Mukherjee Nagar. Meanwhile, a few teachers have also started joining the protests at Rajender Nagar.

10:01 AM

UPSC aspirants protest LIVE: MCD seals five coaching centres running in basement

MCD sealed basements of five coaching centres on Monday — Drishti IAS Institute, Vaji Ram IAS Institute, VajiRam and Ravi Institute, VajiRam and IAS hub, SriRam IAS Institute. It has also removed illegal encroachment while demolishing platforms and ramps outside the coaching centres in Old Rajinder Nagar. Further, the MCD is also conducting a survey to identify properties flouting basement rules.

Drishti IAS, run by former civil servant and YouTuber Vikas Divyakirti, was among the seven coaching institutes, including six in Central Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar, which were sealed by the MCD in the latest crackdown on illegally run establishments.

9:50 AM

BJP trying to tarnish Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's governance model: AAP

As protests over the deaths of three UPSC aspirants in Delhi continue, AAP has accused the BJP-led Centre and Delhi Lt Governor of trying to tarnish Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's governance model. The party also alleged that the saffron party, which was in power in MCD for 15 years, did nothing about the drainage system.

9:43 AM

No intention or knowledge of causing death: Arrested SUV driver's counsel

The lawyer of the driver of a vehicle -- who purportedly waded through the waterlogged road and contributed to breaking the gates of the coaching centre -- has sought his release on bail. Arrested car driver's counsel has said that there was no intention or knowledge of causing death.

9:42 AM

Attention should be paid to safety measures in libraries: Student

Bhoomi, a student protesting in Old Rajinder Nagar, told ANI, "Till when will all of this continue? Most libraries are running in the basements. We want that attention should be paid to the safety measures in these libraries. We want to see the involvement of MCD, Delhi Jal Board and other higher authorities. We want action should be taken on the FIR that is registered. We want some compensation for the family... Our demands are very basic. We don't have any personal demands related to room rent which are being highlighted."

9:42 AM

Coaching has become a flourishing industry: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar

On Monday, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "Coaching has become a flourishing industry with high returns and the kind of advertisements, I said, need to be examined. Every penny spent on advertisement is coming from the student. Every new building is coming from the student. So there is really a need for an approach that can go a long way in tackling it..."